We've not received any letter from government - 'Sacked' CEOs fight back

Embattled Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the 8 state institutions who have been allegedly ordered to retire say they have not received any letter from the appointing authority asking them to step down.

According to them, per the rules of engagement governing their appointment, they are supposed to receive letters notifying them of any action to that effect, but no such letter has been issued.

Earlier last week, news went viral that "eight CEO's of some government institutions have been directed to leave office by March 2019."

According to social media reports, the directive was as a result of the provision in the Public Service Act which enjoins public officers to retire from the public service on attaining the age of sixty (60) years and getting a possible extension of five (5) extra years.

It named the affected persons as: Mr. Eugene Ofosuhene, 67 years, Controller and Accountant General; Mr. Kofi Jumah, 68 years, CEO of Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC); Mr. Isaac Osei, 67 years, CEO of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR); Mr. Kwame Owusu, 67 years, CEO of Ghana Maritime Authority and Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, 65 years, CEO of Forestry Commission.

The rest are Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, 65 years, Director General of Ghana Health Service; Dr. Samuel Annor, 64 years, CEO of National Health Insurance Authority and Mr. K. K Sarpong, 65 years, CEO of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

But a leading official at the Forestry Commission has poured scorn on the report.

Speaking in an interview on Okay Fm's Ade Akye Abia morning show, Director in Charge of Special Duties at the Forestry Commission and Special Aide to the CEO, Mr. Charles Owusu, disclosed that they only received the news of the purported impending dismissals on social media, and wondered if the beleaguered CEOs were public servants to be "sacked".

"For me, I understand they are not public servants, because if we say Sir John and his other colleagues are public servants then the president is the Chief public servant...in this case, age cannot be a factor to relieve any appointee from the office," he added.

Mr. Owusu praised Sir John for his immense contribution to the Forestry Commission ever since he assumed office as the CEO.

"We won't be perturbed, however, if he is actually asked to retire, he has left an indelible mark. His contribution to the development of the commission is indeed massive," he said.